Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature search
Abstract Objective To investigate which brain activity frequency of electroencephalogram (EEG)-neurofeedback training (NFT) was the most effective for enhancing working memory (WM) and episodic memory (EM) in healthy participants through network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods Searched PubMed, Embase,...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01634-8 |
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| author | Wen-Hsiu Yeh Ya-Ju Ju Fu-Zen Shaw Yu-Ting Liu |
| author_facet | Wen-Hsiu Yeh Ya-Ju Ju Fu-Zen Shaw Yu-Ting Liu |
| author_sort | Wen-Hsiu Yeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective To investigate which brain activity frequency of electroencephalogram (EEG)-neurofeedback training (NFT) was the most effective for enhancing working memory (WM) and episodic memory (EM) in healthy participants through network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods Searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published from January 1990 to January 2025. We performed Bayesian NMA, pooling continuous outcome data using the standardized mean difference effect size (ES). Global and local evaluations of inconsistency were conducted using the chi-square test, side-splitting, and loop-specific approaches. A consistency model was applied and the global approach to inconsistency showed no significance. Efficacy ranks were determined using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) for each intervention. Publication bias was assessed using the comparison-adjusted funnel plot and Egger’s test. Finally, sensitivity analysis confirmed our findings’ robustness. Results Sixty studies were included, comprising 50 trials on WM and 24 trials on EM. While the global inconsistency analysis showed no significant inconsistency for WM (χ2(22) = 30.89, p = 0.10) and EM (χ2(10) = 13.48, p = 0.19), the consistency model exhibited the most significant difference between active control (AC) and alpha combined with working memory training (WMT) (ES of 6.64, p < 0.001) for WM, and between AC and alpha (ES of 0.84, p = 0.01) for EM. Alpha combined with WMT for WM (100%) and alpha NFT for EM (87.0%) also showed the highest efficacy according to the SUCRA. No publication bias was found for either type of memory. The sensitivity analysis for WM and EM aligns with the original results. Conclusion Through NMA, alpha activity (7–13 Hz) may be a crucial frequency impacting memory. Brain activity combined with other training methods requires more robust studies for future investigation. This study registered with www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ (CRD42024539656). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0f087f93c08f445a9f32cc762fd44a66 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1743-0003 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj-art-0f087f93c08f445a9f32cc762fd44a662025-08-20T03:14:07ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032025-04-0122112110.1186/s12984-025-01634-8Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature searchWen-Hsiu Yeh0Ya-Ju Ju1Fu-Zen Shaw2Yu-Ting Liu3Department of Gerontological Health Care, Central Taiwan University of Science and TechnologyTeaching and Research Center, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychology, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Medical Science Industries, Chang Jung Christian UniversityAbstract Objective To investigate which brain activity frequency of electroencephalogram (EEG)-neurofeedback training (NFT) was the most effective for enhancing working memory (WM) and episodic memory (EM) in healthy participants through network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods Searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published from January 1990 to January 2025. We performed Bayesian NMA, pooling continuous outcome data using the standardized mean difference effect size (ES). Global and local evaluations of inconsistency were conducted using the chi-square test, side-splitting, and loop-specific approaches. A consistency model was applied and the global approach to inconsistency showed no significance. Efficacy ranks were determined using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) for each intervention. Publication bias was assessed using the comparison-adjusted funnel plot and Egger’s test. Finally, sensitivity analysis confirmed our findings’ robustness. Results Sixty studies were included, comprising 50 trials on WM and 24 trials on EM. While the global inconsistency analysis showed no significant inconsistency for WM (χ2(22) = 30.89, p = 0.10) and EM (χ2(10) = 13.48, p = 0.19), the consistency model exhibited the most significant difference between active control (AC) and alpha combined with working memory training (WMT) (ES of 6.64, p < 0.001) for WM, and between AC and alpha (ES of 0.84, p = 0.01) for EM. Alpha combined with WMT for WM (100%) and alpha NFT for EM (87.0%) also showed the highest efficacy according to the SUCRA. No publication bias was found for either type of memory. The sensitivity analysis for WM and EM aligns with the original results. Conclusion Through NMA, alpha activity (7–13 Hz) may be a crucial frequency impacting memory. Brain activity combined with other training methods requires more robust studies for future investigation. This study registered with www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ (CRD42024539656).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01634-8BiofeedbackCognitionElectroencephalographicMemoryNeurofeedbackNetwork meta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Wen-Hsiu Yeh Ya-Ju Ju Fu-Zen Shaw Yu-Ting Liu Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature search Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Biofeedback Cognition Electroencephalographic Memory Neurofeedback Network meta-analysis |
| title | Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature search |
| title_full | Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature search |
| title_fullStr | Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature search |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature search |
| title_short | Comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram-neurofeedback training of 3–45 frequency band on memory in healthy population: a network meta-analysis with systematic literature search |
| title_sort | comparative effectiveness of electroencephalogram neurofeedback training of 3 45 frequency band on memory in healthy population a network meta analysis with systematic literature search |
| topic | Biofeedback Cognition Electroencephalographic Memory Neurofeedback Network meta-analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01634-8 |
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